University of Toronto
International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation

ICDR Groups

ICDR achieves its mission through the coordinated effort of an Executive and 11 ICDR-Groups (see organizational chart).

There are 8 ICDR-Groups that steward our international partnerships:

ICDR has a student-led group with representation from all rehabilitation departments, in order to build capacity among the next generation of advocates:

What it means to be an ICDR group:

Terms of Reference

as presented in the ICDR Community meeting, Oct. 18, 2023

Background and Rationale

  • Part of the strategic plan development process
  • Given the diversity of groups, there is a need for a basic common criteria
  • Facilitate the creation of additional groups
  • Support groups’ operations

8 criteria that define an ICDR group

  1. Purpose
  2. Scope 
  3. Membership
  4. Roles & Responsibilities
  5. Decision making
  6. Communication
  7. Financial rules
  8. Branding guidelines

1. Purpose of the group

The reason the group exists must be clear and concise

E.g. the purpose of a group could be to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise between researchers in Canada and a given country around disabilities and rehabilitation.

2. Scope of the group

ICDR three pillar activities:

  • education
  • service
  • research

Group activities:

  • Must be defined by both what the group does AND does not do
  • Boundaries can often be blurred, but groups should strive to be specific as to what they centre their practices on 

Minimum expectation for an ICDR group to engage in at least one of the pillar activities

E.g.  events such as fundraising, research projects, symposia, conferences, and capacity-building events represents one of the pillars 

3. Membership of the group

Define requirements for group adhesion

  • Each group must have steps required in order to become a member
  • These steps are to be clear, objective, non-discriminatory, inclusive, and aligned with ICDR policies.

4. Roles and responsibilities of group members

Defines the members activities and contribution to the group

Role and responsibilities of group leadership are to be clear and specific

At a minimum, each group should have: a chair and a vice-chair finance

  • Number of vice-chairs will vary based on size and complexity of activities

5. Decision-making process for the group

How decisions are made within groups

Clear and transparent process, either by consensus or majority vote

6. Communication process

Defines what communication platforms to use and how often they need to communicate with each other

Clear and efficient

Meet at least once every 6 months

Communication means are to be appropriate to each group (e.g. email, WhatsApp)

7. Financial rules

How funds are managed, collected and spent

Clear and accountable process

Traceable and aligned with the University of Toronto’s financial regulations

  • See guidelines here
  • These guidelines are not meant to be a control mechanism but as a set of regulations that are set by the University to be followed. 

Help groups remain sustainable and  protect reputation (groups, ICDR and the University of Toronto)

8. Branding guidelines

How a group presents itself

Consistent and professional

Adherence to regulations around the use of UofT name logo

  • See guidelines here

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